Misa Rodríguez stood with her hands on her hips as Alexia Putellas celebrated exuberantly.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper showcased her skills, fending off 18 shots from Barcelona, with 12 reaching the target, but it ultimately fell short.
In the dying moments of the game, Putellas outsmarted Rodríguez at the penalty spot, sealing the match at 2-0 in favor of Barça.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was soon enveloped by her teammates, joyfully bouncing along the touchline. This victory marked Barcelona’s sixth Supercopa title, and their fifth consecutive win since 2022.
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Real Madrid’s pursuit of their first trophy remains unfulfilled. Formed in 2020, the team is eager to claim silverware, reflecting on how close they came this time at Estadio Castalia.
“It’s frustrating, not necessarily because of their two goals—which we need to improve on—but because those positive moments didn’t get us the Supercopa,” lamented Madrid coach Pau Quesada afterwards.
“In football, positive sentiments help you build, but ultimately, what matters is victory. We didn’t achieve that today, and we should return home feeling disappointed. Yet we recognize that the players gave their all.”
Madrid had challenged Barcelona more closely than in last year’s Supercopa final, which ended 5-0 in Barcelona’s favor, proving that the gap is closing.
It’s clear that the rivalry between the two clubs is intensifying. Just a year ago, Madrid achieved their first-ever victory against Barça, winning 3-1 in front of a stunned crowd of 35,000 at Montjuic on March 23, 2025, ending an 18-match losing streak.
This moment appeared to shift the tides for Madrid, spurred on by Barcelona’s cost-reduction strategies in the previous summer that lessened their squad depth.
The 2025-26 season was poised to be a turning point for Madrid, but thus far, they have struggled. Currently, they find themselves 10 points behind Barça in Liga F after 17 matches, having already lost three league games this season—more than their total for the entire previous season—including a 4-0 defeat when the teams last clashed in November.
For a club that prides itself on trophy collection, the quest for their first title continues. Madrid has reached three finals: the 2023 Copa de la Reina and two Supercopas in 2025 and now 2026.
The Copa de la Reina final was particularly heartbreaking, as they lost to Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout. Last year’s Supercopa was heavily one-sided, with Barça dominating.
However, Saturday’s match had a different narrative. Esmee Brugts opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 28th minute with a header from a corner taken by Mapi Leon. Yet, after that, Madrid’s defense—led by Misa—held strong.
A key moment came in the 58th minute when forward Ewa Pajor faced off against the goalkeeper but had her effort deflected. Caroline Graham Hansen attempted to capitalize on the rebound, hitting the crossbar.
It wasn’t until the 93rd minute when Putellas converted a penalty to make it 2-0. Barcelona dominated possession with 67% compared to Madrid’s 33%, and had 12 shots on target against Madrid’s solitary attempt. Nevertheless, Madrid fought until the final whistle.
“It was an excellent match, truly representative of a final, from both teams,” praised Barcelona’s MVP, midfielder Patri Guijarro.
Looking ahead, Madrid will focus on the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League. Their group stage ended in disappointment, as they failed to secure a top four spot, losing three of their last four matches, including a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in December on matchday six.
They now face a playoff against Paris FC, with whom they previously drew 1-1 in Madrid. After next month’s two-legged playoff, the winners will advance to the Champions League quarterfinals to face Barcelona.
Barcelona’s rich history in Europe—with three Champions League titles and six final appearances—is a benchmark that Madrid is not yet able to match in the women’s game.
However, the Supercopa final highlighted that if these two teams clash in Europe come March, Madrid could compete on even terms, whether over 90 or 180 minutes.
That may not be their only goal, but it signifies notable progress.